The Republican leadership continues its program of taunting and insulting its own voters:

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Sunday that an effort to give President Obama the ability to fast-track trade deals his administration is currently negotiating is moving along.

"We will have the votes. We're doing very well. We're gaining a lot of steam and momentum," Ryan said on CNN's "State of the Union."

Paul, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is the co-author of legislation providing Obama with the so-called Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to facilitate the trade deals with Asian and European countries.

The fast-track component would allow Obama to submit the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other deals to Congress for an up-or-down vote, limiting debate and the ability for amendments.